Nerijus Mikalajūnas is the European champion of VTES 2025!

My Story of EC2025 Aarhus

By Jesper Bøje, Event Organizer. Photos by Niels Steinmeier (Instagram.com/steinmeier) and Marko Saari.

About 15 months ago, I was asked if I’d be interested in hosting EC 2025. I spent the summer thinking about it, doing some research, and eventually came back with a pitch: an EC in Aarhus. Black Chantry Productions accepted it – and the rest, as they say, is history.

Looking back now, I’m filled with gratitude. I’m thankful for everyone who joined, for all the positive feedback I received, and for the sight of smiling faces everywhere I turned. My own experience of the week – and the weekend – was truly unique. I can’t fully speak for how it felt to attend, but for me, it was an absolute blast. Seeing over a year of planning and teamwork come together was incredible. Watching players be surprised at how smooth registration went, or seeing the first social media posts just minutes after the doors opened saying things like “wow” and “this has real Succubus Club vibes” – that made every hour of preparation worth it.

Of course, in the lead-up to the event there were some debates:
“Can you really host an EC in a city without a major airport?”
“Why have a V5 contest fest?”
“Why bring back the multi-deck format?”

Well, it turns out, you can have an EC in Aarhus, and a pretty great one at that. Everyone I spoke with on-site seemed puzzled about the supposed travel problems. With direct trains and buses from Denmark’s two largest airports, it didn’t seem to be an issue for anyone who actually made the trip.

As for the V5 “contest fest”? I didn’t get to watch much of the tournament myself, but from what I heard, the finals featured five different decks and clans. Sounds diverse to me!

And regarding the multi-deck tournament: my goal for Sunday was to create a more relaxed event. By that point, some players had already competed in six tournaments, maybe missed out on Day 2, and just wanted to play something lighter. Some stuck with one deck, some swapped around – but everyone seemed to enjoy a more easygoing atmosphere. It was my tournament, after all. 😉

But to be honest, there was a deeper reason behind many of these decisions. I wanted to push BCP, VEKN, and the community a bit – to highlight things I personally cared about. Maybe the V5 format or the updated multi-deck rules would have arrived eventually, but I’m quite sure it wouldn’t have happened as early as it did without EC Aarhus putting a spotlight on them. The positive reactions I’ve heard since make me confident it was the right call.

All of this is just a small part of what EC 2025 Aarhus meant to me. While everyone else was focused on cards, games, and the meta, here’s a glimpse into my week:
•    Getting (almost) all tournaments started on time.
•    Improvising when 14 players didn’t show up.
•    Finding cables for the stream 30 minutes before going live.
•    Handling and delivering 135 individual webshop orders.
•    Seeing old friends after more than 10 years – and having no time to talk (sorry!).
•    Being first on-site and last to leave.
•    Welcoming everyone from players, bartenders, streaming crew and illustrators to my family and even my boss.
•    Buying food for the helpers and sandwiches for everyone on Thursday so we could make our dinner.
•    Having tears in my eyes when my kids took the stage on Sunday – and again on Monday, when I had to write reports about cheating.
•    And, of course, trying to keep everyone on schedule (finalists are still terrible at following simple directions!).

All those little moments made the experience unforgettable. I honestly don’t know what it was like to attend EC2025 – but for me, organizing it was something I’ll never forget.

My hope now is that people will keep sharing their own stories from Aarhus, so that next year, even more players will be inspired to join us in Vilnius.

Tournament results:

 
Friday V5
Number of players: 26
Finalists:
Tero Aaltp (1 VP) Tzimisce toolbox
Henrik Klippström (1 VP) Tremere stealth-bleed
Pasi Karjalainen (1 VP) Toreador bleed
Jan Etzel Malkavian stealth-bleed
Jeroen van Oort (2 VP) Lasombra vote Tournament winning deck

Friday Standard Constructed
Number of players: 112
Finalists:
Martin Weinmayer (1 VP winner – Life Boon) Barons Chameleon
Marius Iscru (0.5 VP) Brujah rush
Mårten Cederholm (0.5 VP) Juliet Parr Cavalier bleed/vote
Gerhard Range (0.5 VP) Samedi Reanimated Corpses
Mikhail Klokov (0 VP) Hecata Shroud allies

Saturday EC Day 1
Number of players: 142
Finalists:
Ruben Feldman (2 VP winner by highest seed) Kiasyd stealth-bleed
Jeroen Evenepoel Juliet Parr vote
Kalle Blomgren (1 VP) Lasombra G3-4 stealth-bleed
Martin Weinmayer Barons Protean wall
Lech Ivanov (2 VP) Ministry Barons breed-vote
Video

Sunday rebound tournament (Multi-deck)
Number of players: 76
Finalists:
Tamás Glied (0.5 VP)
Erica Ferreira de Souza (1.5 VP)
Ferenc László Kósa (0.5 VP)
Miguel Andrés Ripoll Ramis (0.5 VP)
Nikica Novaković (0.5 VP)

Sunday EC Day 2
Number of players: 50
Finalists:
Ruben Feldman (0.5 VP DQ) Tupdogs & Rock Cats
Nerijus Mikalajūnas (3.5 VP) Shalmath rush Tournament winning deck
Peitsa Suominen Banu Haqim Kalinda bleed
Michael Holmström Barons Gehenna wall
Otto Kallokoski Hecata zombie toolbox

Congratulations to Nerijus! (Photo of him above by Marcus Berg.) Thanks to the sponsors Ultrapro, Black Chantry Production and Black Chantry Distribution, and thanks to Jesper and his whole crew and all players who attended!

Richard Aumann is the 2025 Oceania Grand Prix winner!

Over the Oceania Continental Championship weekend, also the Oceania Grand Prix finals were held, where the 5 top performing players on the Grand Prix circuit this year met and played a final round to determine our circuit winner. This is a report from the winner RichE:
 
The GP circuit was first thought about before OCC Sydney 2024. After seeing Ke Carlton in the “Clash of the Titans”, I thought wouldn’t it be great to have an invitational event. I was staying in an Airbnb with other organisers/travellers and ran the idea past them. It got late in the year but Rathpex was determined to get something going. It morphed into a GP idea and the circuit was born. As Melbourne was holding a tournament in March anyway, we converted that tournament into GP Melbourne to give the other Princes time. Perth followed in April, Sydney in May and Brisbane June. We finished in September in Auckland.

We started in Melbourne where I made the final and received a crucial 0.5 VP in the final. This would be the tie breaker with TJ as we both finished on 41 points equal 2nd place.


Going into the final Steve Harris was consistent in the GP circuit finishing with 36. Fourth was Rathpex on 40 points. Then TJ 41, RichE 41 and Ke 62.

The GP circuit was first thought about before OCC Sydney 2024. After seeing Ke Carlton in the “Clash of the Titans”, I thought wouldn’t it be great to have an invitational event. I was staying in an Airbnb with other organisers/travellers and ran the idea past them. It got late in the year but Rathpex was determined to get something going. It morphed into a GP idea and the circuit was born. As Melbourne was holding a tournament in March anyway, we converted that tournament into GP Melbourne to give the other Princes time. Perth followed in April, Sydney in May and Brisbane June. We finished in September in Auckland.

Steve sat first. He was playing weenie Dementation stealth-bleed.

Next to sit was Rathpex he seated second with what appeared to be a weenie-Dominate bleed with Stanislava.

Next was TJ. He sat down with a Path of Caine combat deck. He sat as Steve’s prey.

On seeing TJ’s deck I (Banu Haqim Kasim combat) was not keen to be next to TJ. So I thought I would have better luck being Rathpex’s prey and preying on Steve’s weenie SB.

Ke sat last. He thought it through and figured that between Dom bleed and Kasim Combat was the best spot, away from TJ. Ke had a Guruhi MMA plus hand size combat deck.

In turn one, Rathpex was number one. He brought out a one cap.

Ke went to two transfers.

My starting crypt was 9, 7, 5 and 2. I went to three transfers on Farah Sarroub Prince of Detroit. I was thinking, I don't need to get out a vampire straight away. I have combat, so I’ll prepare.

Steve brought out Midget and had an extra transfer.

TJ transferred four.

Turn 2, Rathpex bled, transferred out New Blood, and Samson. Do I contest New Blood later in the game?

Ke transferred 4.

I brought out Farah. Steve bled with Midget, and transferred Uncle George into play.

TJ was under pressure, and brought out Anousha, The Manic.

Turn three, Rathpex bled, transferred onto Stanislava, seems to be Dom.

Ke influences out Iniko the Black Lion with permanent +1 stealth.

I stand, 4 transfers to Kasim.

Steve bleeds with Uncle George, blocked. Anousha torpors Uncle George, but George plays coma. Both go down. Adelaide is transferred into play.

TJ transfers.

Rathpex discusses a deal and Anousha is rescued by New Blood.

Ke plays Founders of the Ebony Kingdom to move 4 blood on a younger Laibon in the uncontrolled region.

I transfer 4 to Kasim (now on 8). 

Steve's rescues Uncle George with Adelaide. Three vampires, looking threatening … 

TJ brings out his second seven cap, which is Kalyani , Agent of Doom.

Turn five, Rathpex has now got eight on Stanislava.

Ke transfers 1 for Nagila Were, Guruhi.

I transfer out Kasim.

Steve's got Midget, Uncle George, Adelaide, Bleeds, transfers.

TJ rushes backwards, bins Uncle George. 

Turn six. Rathpex brings Stanislava into play and rescues Uncle George.

Ke Founders again, brings Nana into play. So he's looking pretty strong. 

I sit for now.

Steve bleeds with the Colonel.

Andy rushes backwards.

Turn seven. Rathpex’s Stanislava bins Iniko the Black Lion. New Blood munches. New Blood has Banu Haqim support to live. Stanislava gets aggravated hands for a turn.

I rush Adelaide going forward.

Steve, with Midget, Uncle George, and Colonel bleed. TJ defends.

Turn eight. Rathpex rushes with Stanislava binning Nagila. Stanislava plays Imperial Decree. I’m stoked as I have seen limited rush to date. I’m in shock. It's obviously a rush deck and I thought it was a bleed deck.

Ke makes a deal with me that he won't rush me with his first two rushes. And then he rescues Nagila.

I rush Uncle George taking him down.

Steve bleeds TJ and he defends. 

TJ rushes Stanislava and Stanislava goes down taking Anousha with her.

Turn Nine. Guruhi rescues Anousha.

Banu rescues Stanislava.

Steve bleeds.

Anousha rushes Stanislava, Stanislava goes down again.

Turn Ten. Rathpex is desperate to cycle, tries to convince Banu that rushing him with the 1 cap famous vampire is worth it to cycle a card. Rathpex rushes, Banu move to long, wave. Rathpex doesn’t get want he needs and is despondent. Ke tries to cheer up Rathpex.

Ke defends.

Banu leave Stanislava in torpor. 

Steve bleeds into TJ.

TJ ousts Rathpex.

Turn 11. Ke defends.

Banu bled Steve to 7 pool. Influences out Warmaksan and New Blood.

Steve tries to lunge on TJ (again).

Turn 12. Ke breaks deal with Banu and rushes New Blood, justifying that New Blood is not Banu. New Blood goes to torpor.

I was holding Haqim’s Law Retribution for a turn or two. Now I play it, lunging on Steve who had tapped out. Banu with the oust. 

There was 12-15 minutes left. There was further torporing but no game changes. I managed to stay in the game and win on count back against TJ.

We tied in preliminary rounds and in the final. Tough on TJ. Amazed and shocked.

I would like to thank Plenty of Games for hosting, all the finalists, organisers, judges and everyone who attended our first GP circuit.

Here is my deck: “W Kasim Combat 2.3 241025” by Richard Aumann

Crypt (12 cards)
1x Anarch Convert 1 -none- Caitiff:ANY
1x New Blood 2 san Blood Brother:ANY
1x Bijou 3 cel tha Assamite:6
1x Farah Sarroub 7 aus obf CEL THA Assamite:6
1x Nayarana 4 cel THA Assamite:6
3x Kasim Bayar 9 aus pot CEL OBF THA Assamite:6
1x Kassandra Tassaki 6 obf CEL THA Assamite:6
1x Khadija Al-Kindi 6 CEL OBF THA Assamite:6
1x Oluwafunmilayo 8 AUS CEL OBF THA Assamite:6
1x Warmaksan 5 cel obf THA Assamite:6

Library: 90 cards
Master (23 cards)
3x Archon Investigation
9x Ashur Tablets
3x Priority Contract
6x Villein
2x Haqim's Law: Retribution

Action (8 cards)
8x Hunter's Mark

Political Action (2 cards)
2x Anathema

Equipment (1 cards)
1x Bowl of Convergence

Action Modifier/Combat (4 cards)
4x Swallowed by the Night

Combat (45 cards)
2x Flash
6x Infernal Pursuit
4x Psyche!
4x Pursuit
5x Quickness
5x Rego Motum
2x Side Strike
14x Hunger of Marduk
3x Blur

Reaction (7 cards)
7x Second Tradition: Domain

Thanks for this report, and thanks to all the lovely organisers, sponsors and players!